Study Addresses How Effective Campaigns Address Violence Against Women

Violence against women continues to be a serious issue in the United States and other parts of the world. However, just how well do certain programs and counseling treatments offered to those affected by violence help survivors? Recent findings published in The Lancet take an in-depth look at the accomplishments and failings of what's available. 

"Our research shows that multi-pronged programs that involve entire communities are the most effective in preventing violence against women and girls, but we still have a lot more work to do," said co-author Mary Ellsberg, director of the George Washington University's Global Women's Institute (GWI), in a news release. "We need to invest more time and money into the cause to really change attitudes and actions around the world."

For the study, researchers specifically examined various programs around the world that are aimed at reducing and eliminating instances of gender-based violence against both women and girls.

Findings revealed that about 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced either physical or sexual partner violence, while 7 percent of women will experience sexual assault by a non-partner at some point in their lives.

"Our research clearly demonstrates that we need to dedicate more resources and time to prevention programs that are community based, involving women, girls, men and boys of all ages and diverse backgrounds," concluded Diana J. Arango, a research scientist at GWI and co-author of the paper. "Without a two-pronged approach that gives equal attention to prevention and response we will not reduce these pandemic levels of violence."